Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Early this morning, a 3.0 magnitude earthquake was recorded in the Boon Than subdistrict of Suwannakhuha district, Nong Bua Lamphu province. Originating at a depth of 4 kilometres, the tremor was felt in the nearby Boon Than and Saeng Arun villages, raising concerns among locals.

 

Attributed to the Loei Suture, a known geological fault line in the region, this seismic event is part of a historical pattern. Previous earthquakes in this area have measured 3.4 in 2018, 3.8 in 2020, and 2.6 in 2024. Thanks to the meteorological station in Loei province, such occurrences are precisely monitored but are not considered disasters by experts.

 

Geologists note that the northeastern region of Thailand, particularly Loei and Bueng Kan provinces, is notable for active fault lines like the Loei Suture and Thakhek Fault. In contrast, other faults present in the region, such as those in Korat, Phu Khieo, and Satuek, are deemed inactive and pose no significant risk.

 

The prime mover of seismic activities in the broader area is the geological forces from the Sumatra-Andaman subduction zone, but their effects on northeastern Thailand remain minimal. As a result, experts are addressing misinformation suggesting that numerous dangerous fault lines lurk in the northeast, clarifying that aside from Loei and Bueng Kan, the region's faults are dormant.

 

This inactivity parallels other parts of Thailand, where many dormant faults exist in the north, west, and south sectors. Reactivating these would be as improbable as reviving ancient volcanoes like Phanom Rung and Khao Kradong.

 

Authorities are using these explanations to reassure the public, urging against undue panic regarding potential seismic disasters in the northeast. The key focus is leveraging these geological features to enhance scientific understanding rather than instigating alarm, ensuring residents maintain confidence in their safety amidst these natural occurrences.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-06

 

 

Nobody in the family took notice.  Most located around Na Klang, 31 kms S of epicenter.